BUILT ROWDY Through It All: Our IVF Journey

Life doesn’t always follow the road map you sketch out in your head. Sometimes it throws you off the trail, beats you down, and dares you to quit. But being BUILT ROWDY means you don’t quit. You take the hits, stand back up, and keep swinging- because the fight is worth it.

For us, that fight has been the road to parenthood.

After 3.5 years of trying naturally- and believe us, we tried everything. Every tea, vitamin, old wives’ tale, and even some of the “woo-woo” tricks people swear by. We also spent three long years diving into every science-based route we could. Every month was a new wave of hope, followed by another crash of disappointment. Not to mention I was knocking on the door of 37.

In 2024, we finally stepped into IVF for the first time. It’s a process that tests every part of you- your body, your mind, your faith. But that first round brought us the greatest reward: our happy, healthy baby boy, Michael, born October 2024. That moment felt like winning the biggest race of our lives.

In August 2025, we tried again. Another success. We celebrated, we dreamed, we mapped out the future all over again. But just weeks later, at 6 weeks, the embryo stopped growing. At 8 weeks, we faced the heartbreak of miscarriage. December 2025, we tried again. More than sure this was it, because we just had our heartbreak and miscarriage, so surely, this was our baby #2. A few days after Christmas, we were told it unfortunately was not a success.

That’s a part of the story nobody really talks about, all the little shattered hopes after YEARS of trying and being so close to feeling like something is finally yours, just to be met with more heartbreak and questioning why. It’s hard and painful, but a reminder that some things are simply out of our hands.

However, everything happens for a reason. Even in the loss, even in the pain, we trust there’s a bigger plan at play.

Being BUILT ROWDY isn’t just about horsepower, mud, and adrenaline- it’s about grit in the moments that gut you. It's about holding the line when life tries to break you. Standing steadfast in faith, knowing that setbacks don’t define you.

We move forward. Always.

For anyone out there walking this road, whether you’re in the trenches of IVF, grieving a loss, or waiting for your miracle- know that you’re not alone, and you’re stronger than you think. The triumphs are sweeter because of the trials. And sometimes the rowdiest thing you can do is just keep believing.

Given all of this, one of our goals within this brand and business, is to someday be able to support at least one family a year going through this fight. To be able to fully cover their IVF expenses. We know first hand, just what a financial toll this takes on a couple, it's a gut punch and a half to say the least. And if we could take that weight off them, well, that would be a dream come true. 

To the heartbreaks that shape us, the faith that fuels us, and the victories that make it all worth it.

Stay rowdy, stay strong, and keep moving forward.

-Becky McDonough